Great Questions!!! I and an ADR 7 months ago. Went awesome!!! Ins would not cover 2 level. Now I'm waiting for ins to let me have my last disc replaced... Great podcast!!!
Excellent video. I found it very informative. Great questions and answers. East coast Dr's are too eager to do fusions. I regret getting fusions on my L3,4,5 because now my L5 S1 has ruptured 2x. I was just 43yrs old with young kids and have been in pain and limited motion for 7 yrs now. I will be looking into ADRs for sure! Keep spreading the good news about ADRs and give people HOPE again!
I was just told that I need fusion. I am in the process of getting seen at TBI. I look forward to Dr. Blumenthal recomends in my case. I've been in pain for 10 years after an injury in the Army. Relief seems impossible to me but I am trying to hold on to hope.
Here's what I posted in another TBI video minutes ago - Sixteen weeks ago (tomorrow), Dr. Blumenthal and his team at Texas Back Institute/Center for Disc Replacement, in Plano Texas, surgically implanted a Pro Disc C Vivo artificial disc between my C5 and C6 vertebrae. This after my home area (Tennessee) neck surgeon, told me, "The only thing I can do to help you is to fuse three levels on your neck." I would have commented sooner, except for the first time in years, I'm out doing everything that I want to do. Basically, everything that Dr. B discusses in this video, is how my experiences have gone. 100% positive! I couldn't be happier with the results! The pain is completely gone. I had mild discomfort for a few days about a week after surgery, that Tylenol took care of. The numbness in my fingers (both hands) is almost gone, and my ability to do fine motor-skill functions has mostly returned. My use of NSAIDs now is basically zero. Prior to surgery, I ate them like M&M's. The bottom line is that I have nothing but praise for the entire team at TBI! From the janitor, that I spoke with, while walking off the anesthesia that day, to Jessica, Jessie, Katie, and everybody else including Dr. B himself, the entire team is top notch!
Thank you for posting this most informative information. I have been offered a L4/L5 fusion but am scared due to the thoughts of the joint being fused and the thoughts of future injuries to the surrounding joints. I will definitely be looking to get another opinion with TBI.
Excellent review TBI Team, speaking from a disc replacement patient of TBI, under experimental my first Pro Disc, Apr, 2003, and proudly say now with three more in the neck in 2022, Dr. Jack E. Zigler and his entire staff are excellent and I strongly recommend anyone that I encounter with serious spine complications speak with TBI before going with the common fusion procedure so widely practiced.
@@binary neck had disc degeneration. Had three replacements in 2022 amazing results. Insurance recommended fusion. I declined. Paid portion out of pocket. Was well worth every dollar.
Thank you for this TBI team! In the event that a rare revision would happen with a disc replacement, how would this be handled? Great video with amazing insights!
As with any rare revision, each case would take a considerable amount of thought and care from the surgeon or team of surgeons. At Texas Back Institute rare cases are taken before the group of surgeons to determine the best plan of care for the patient. If you would like a consultation with a specialist, call us at 972-608-5000 or visit texasback.com
Watching this because my L5-S1 is shot. Looking forward to getting it repaired at some point. I'd like the technology to evolve a bit more so the discs also restrict motion (to help reduce strain on the facets), but it's getting harder to wait!
it'll take at least a decade longer. there aren't any new ones in the pipeline here. LP ESP is good but it's pretty small for male vertebrae. Freedom Disc is probably not going to get approved, and the results seem iffy. Activ L is time tested and pretty good.
@@binary What's the issue with freedom? I've read a lot of positive things about it and nothing negative so far. The main concern I have with it is that there has been nothing but radio silence for the last year but as of late 2022 it was in the final stages of FDA approvals. I reached out to the FDA about it and they said it still shows as on the list for approval, but that the details cannot be shared due to confidentiality. I've reached out to AxioMed and no answer there, but that could just be crappy customer service. ActivL is the best we have right now, but I don't like the complete lack of cushion and the risk of increased facet wear. If Freedom fails then I don't know what I'll do. I'm not enthusiastic about ActivL and even less so about a fusion. I can wait a year or three but there's no way my back makes it 10 more years.
The Germans are the most experienced in the world, I was told the freedom is not liked because it has curved endplates and the aggressive pins destroy the natural boney endplates which can lead to subsidence. Lp-Esp is the best disc in the world right now hands down, this is coming straight from guys who've placed 5k discs by themselves with no access surgeons like in the US. I have 2 Lp-Esp and 1 cp-esp, I wouldn't wait if I were you, that's why I needed 2 discs instead of 1, adjacent segment disease! Even if freedom is approved, it takes years for hospitals and insurance to on board it before you can walk in and say I want that.
@@brians2328 How have things gone with your CP-ESP? I've heard good things about it, but am on the fence about paying out of pocket to head to Germany.
Hi, I think that Dr. Guyer performed Tiger Woods's fusion. Is there a reason why he did not get a disc replacement??? No need to answer if this is a personal matter for Tiger.
Dr Blumenthal was my surgeon for my lumbar artificial disc replacement. So happy with my results, and so grateful for Dr Blumenthal and his work!
The entire team at TBI is absolutely incredible, I cant stress it enough.
How long ago did you have the disc replacement and what did you try before the disc replacement and did the replacement take all the pain away ?
Dr B did my two level cervical ADR in 2020. Woke up with zero nerve pain. Best day of my life after 7 years of pain.
“Refuse to fuse!”
Great Questions!!! I and an ADR 7 months ago.
Went awesome!!!
Ins would not cover 2 level.
Now I'm waiting for ins to let me have my last disc replaced...
Great podcast!!!
Thanks!!
Excellent video. I found it very informative. Great questions and answers. East coast Dr's are too eager to do fusions. I regret getting fusions on my L3,4,5 because now my L5 S1 has ruptured 2x. I was just 43yrs old with young kids and have been in pain and limited motion for 7 yrs now. I will be looking into ADRs for sure! Keep spreading the good news about ADRs and give people HOPE again!
I was just told that I need fusion. I am in the process of getting seen at TBI. I look forward to Dr. Blumenthal recomends in my case. I've been in pain for 10 years after an injury in the Army. Relief seems impossible to me but I am trying to hold on to hope.
Here's what I posted in another TBI video minutes ago - Sixteen weeks ago (tomorrow), Dr. Blumenthal and his team at Texas Back Institute/Center for Disc Replacement, in Plano Texas, surgically implanted a Pro Disc C Vivo artificial disc between my C5 and C6 vertebrae. This after my home area (Tennessee) neck surgeon, told me, "The only thing I can do to help you is to fuse three levels on your neck."
I would have commented sooner, except for the first time in years, I'm out doing everything that I want to do. Basically, everything that Dr. B discusses in this video, is how my experiences have gone. 100% positive!
I couldn't be happier with the results! The pain is completely gone. I had mild discomfort for a few days about a week after surgery, that Tylenol took care of. The numbness in my fingers (both hands) is almost gone, and my ability to do fine motor-skill functions has mostly returned. My use of NSAIDs now is basically zero. Prior to surgery, I ate them like M&M's.
The bottom line is that I have nothing but praise for the entire team at TBI! From the janitor, that I spoke with, while walking off the anesthesia that day, to Jessica, Jessie, Katie, and everybody else including Dr. B himself, the entire team is top notch!
Thanks guys, keep making videos such as these.
Thanks, will do!
Thank you for posting this most informative information. I have been offered a L4/L5 fusion but am scared due to the thoughts of the joint being fused and the thoughts of future injuries to the surrounding joints. I will definitely be looking to get another opinion with TBI.
Excellent review TBI Team, speaking from a disc replacement patient of TBI, under experimental my first Pro Disc, Apr, 2003, and proudly say now with three more in the neck in 2022, Dr. Jack E. Zigler and his entire staff are excellent and I strongly recommend anyone that I encounter with serious spine complications speak with TBI before going with the common fusion procedure so widely practiced.
did you get your Prodsic in the lumbar? any facet issues or adjacent segment issues?
@@binary L/3/L4 Pro-Disc
@@texasjetman any facet issues or other back pain in the last 20 years or has it been pretty smooth?
@@binary neck had disc degeneration. Had three replacements in 2022 amazing results. Insurance recommended fusion. I declined. Paid portion out of pocket. Was well worth every dollar.
Hi I just had an ADR in lumbar..
Did you encounter an increase in facet arthritis?
All the testimonials don't mention it but it's a warning..
Thanks
Yep, as a Federal employee I'm screwed by BCBS FEP whereas lumbar ADR is concerned. Unfortunately, paying out-of-pocket isn't an option....
Thank you for this TBI team! In the event that a rare revision would happen with a disc replacement, how would this be handled? Great video with amazing insights!
As with any rare revision, each case would take a considerable amount of thought and care from the surgeon or team of surgeons. At Texas Back Institute rare cases are taken before the group of surgeons to determine the best plan of care for the patient. If you would like a consultation with a specialist, call us at 972-608-5000 or visit texasback.com
Watching this because my L5-S1 is shot. Looking forward to getting it repaired at some point. I'd like the technology to evolve a bit more so the discs also restrict motion (to help reduce strain on the facets), but it's getting harder to wait!
it'll take at least a decade longer. there aren't any new ones in the pipeline here. LP ESP is good but it's pretty small for male vertebrae. Freedom Disc is probably not going to get approved, and the results seem iffy. Activ L is time tested and pretty good.
@@binary What's the issue with freedom? I've read a lot of positive things about it and nothing negative so far. The main concern I have with it is that there has been nothing but radio silence for the last year but as of late 2022 it was in the final stages of FDA approvals. I reached out to the FDA about it and they said it still shows as on the list for approval, but that the details cannot be shared due to confidentiality. I've reached out to AxioMed and no answer there, but that could just be crappy customer service.
ActivL is the best we have right now, but I don't like the complete lack of cushion and the risk of increased facet wear.
If Freedom fails then I don't know what I'll do. I'm not enthusiastic about ActivL and even less so about a fusion. I can wait a year or three but there's no way my back makes it 10 more years.
The Germans are the most experienced in the world, I was told the freedom is not liked because it has curved endplates and the aggressive pins destroy the natural boney endplates which can lead to subsidence. Lp-Esp is the best disc in the world right now hands down, this is coming straight from guys who've placed 5k discs by themselves with no access surgeons like in the US. I have 2 Lp-Esp and 1 cp-esp, I wouldn't wait if I were you, that's why I needed 2 discs instead of 1, adjacent segment disease! Even if freedom is approved, it takes years for hospitals and insurance to on board it before you can walk in and say I want that.
@@brians2328did the replacement get rid of your pain ?
@@brians2328 How have things gone with your CP-ESP? I've heard good things about it, but am on the fence about paying out of pocket to head to Germany.
Hi, I think that Dr. Guyer performed Tiger Woods's fusion. Is there a reason why he did not get a disc replacement??? No need to answer if this is a personal matter for Tiger.
Yeah. Good luck with any spinal surgery. 🥵🥶🤑